Child Physical Abuse

Internal injuries – Second only to subdural hematomas, internal organ injuries are a common cause of death in child abuse cases and usually involve structures located below the diaphragm. Non-accidental injuries usually occur in hollow organs like the stomach, but the liver, spleen, and pancreas can also be damaged. If a child under the age of 3 has a pancreatic injury, abuse must be strongly suspected since this organ is located so deep within the human body and would thus be protected from accidental injury.